While most jobseekers believe their résumé is the most
important factor in a successful job search, five items outrank it. The résumé
covers two critical factors: To generate interviews and provide recruiters with
an interviewing tool. Beyond that, these ‘other’
factors can easily stymie a brilliantly crafted résumé.
In reverse order, they
are:
#5 A poorly organized job
search
It is hard for
some to connect the dots between having a solid résumé and a poorly organized
job search. When the résumé fails to reach the right types of decision makers,
the jobseeker cannot blame that on anyone other than him/herself. Most
jobseekers lack a strategic plan and opt to proceed haphazardly. Don’t blame
your résumé writer for this blender.
#4 Questionable background
check (including weak references)
As the position’s
importance escalates, so will the background scrutiny, including quality of
references. Employers—usually through their HR departments—will scrutinize public
records (especially driving and court records). Those dealing with students, large
sums of cash and/or highly sensitive information should automatically expect a
background examination.
#3 Sloppy appearance and
health issues
With few
exceptions, show up for an important position poorly dressed, or appear to need
life-support and employment prospects rapidly dwindle. A few exceptions might
include high-level computer geeks or perhaps a disheveled prize-winning
physicist. Otherwise, the jobseeker better have super-rare skillsets the
employer desperately needs.
#2 Poor interviewing
performance
Very few
jobseekers openly admit they have interviewing deficiencies. Once this state-of-denial
sets in, the jobseeker sees nothing to correct. Now, the jobseeker has to rely
heavily on the other candidates delivering a poorer interviewing performance.
The ratio of this occurring is 5:1. Best hope none of the other candidates bothered
to prepare either.
#1 Jobseeker’s credit report
The granddaddy
of all job killers is a questionable or conflicting credit report. The median
FICO score is roughly 700. That’s good enough to buy a car, but no cigar for
landing substantive employment. The detailed credit reports include your
employment history, which best not deviate from your brilliantly crafted
résumé. (You have the legal right to make corrections, but most do not bother.)
If your résumé is halfway decent,
and you are not landing the offers you anticipated, look into these ‘other’
factors. If you are not getting in the door: than it’s time to track down a
résumé writer. The Better Business Bureau is a good place to start.
Copyrighted © 2015 by
Robert James